Many modern Lovecraftian movies reveal their cosmic horror slowly. The 2020 film Underwater, directed by William Eubank, takes this idea to a new level. It starts as a thriller, but Underwater ultimately turns into a classic nightmare. The feeling of being trapped adds to the fear, and Cthulhu himself makes an appearance.
Kristen Stewart stars as Norah Price, who is an underwater engineer. She works at a secret drilling compound deep underwater. When the compound faces a terrible disaster caused by an unseen force, Norah gathers the survivors.
They must find escape pods to survive. Although Underwater did not get a lot of attention, it deserves more praise for its innovative take on classic Lovecraftian themes.
Cosmic horror usually focuses on fear from the vast and unknown ocean or space. However, Underwater takes a different approach by trapping both the characters and the audience in close, tense situations. There are parts of the movie that feel more like the film The Descent than the story of Call of Cthulhu.
One intense scene shows Norah trying to find the escape pods while moving through the destroyed tunnels of the compound. As she squeezes and crawls through the wreckage and broken wires, viewers hold their breath with her.
The low light in these scenes helps show how restricted Norah’s situation is. Just as she struggles to move, the audience cannot see everything clearly. While Eubank cannot physically squeeze his viewers into a tight space, he creates a similar feeling through other senses.
The entire film plays with the feeling of being trapped. Setting Underwater in a deep-sea compound adds to the feeling of pressure. When things go wrong, the characters have nowhere to escape. This tension rises as the alarm announces each deck’s failure.
Still from the movie (Disney+)
Stewart shows how her character reacts to each deck being sealed off. Her face tightens, her eyes dart around, and her mouth forms a hard line. As Norah searches for an escape pod, Eubank uses tight lighting and camera angles to emphasize how trapped she is.
For much of the viewing experience, audiences might think they are watching an underwater version of Alien. The film introduces a strange creature that biologist Emily Haversham, played by Jessica Henwick, mistakenly thinks is a new species.
It is not until the last part of the film that Underwater fully embraces its Lovecraftian influences. This film is one of the few that shows Cthulhu entirely. The character design for Cthulhu is so terrifying that most movies choose to show hints of Cthulhu, like death cults or parts of the Necronomicon, instead of depicting the creature fully.
Even though there are signs that Norah’s company has bad intentions, the presence of Cthulhu serves as a critique of harmful environmental practices. Earlier in the film, Emily Haversham whispers to herself that they should never have drilled into the ocean floor. Now, her anxious words reflect two truths: the harm done to the environment and the awakening of Cthulhu.
Kristen Stewart delivers a restrained performance as Norah, grappling with a blend of incomprehensible fears and everyday horrors in Underwater. The film distinguishes itself by portraying Cthulhu in its entirety, establishing a high benchmark for itself.
The realistic and gritty design of the creatures grounds the film, similar to the goal of Lovecraft’s work. There is a sense that these creatures could be hiding on the ocean floor, lying quiet unless disturbed.
The setting of Underwater plays a big role in building tension and fear. The film shows the dark, cramped tunnels that create a sense of entrapment. This feeling is heightened by the underwater environment, which is both beautiful and terrifying.
Viewers experience a sense of isolation, surrounded by the vastness of the ocean. This setting amplifies the existential dread that permeates the film.
The characters’ struggles with fear and panic make their journey even more relatable. They must face their fears and find strength in each other. As Norah leads the group, her determination shines through. She becomes a symbol of hope in a situation that seems hopeless. Her leadership is important in guiding the survivors through their dangerous environment.
Each character brings a unique perspective to the story. They each react differently to the horror around them. For example, some characters become paralyzed by fear, while others try to take charge. This variety adds depth to the narrative and makes the viewer think about how people respond to extreme situations.
Her concerns about the drilling show the movie’s underlying message about respecting nature. This message connects to Lovecraft’s themes of the unknown and the dangers of human interference with nature.
Still from the movie (Disney+)
The film also covers the idea of teamwork in crisis situations. As the characters face various challenges, they must rely on each other for survival. Their interactions reveal their fears, hopes, and desires. This teamwork theme adds an emotional layer to the story and emphasizes the importance of human connection during difficult times.
As the story progresses, the tension continues to build. Each new challenge puts the characters’ lives at risk, and viewers feel the weight of their struggles. The suspense keeps audiences engaged as they wonder whether Norah and her friends will find a way to escape.
The film’s pacing adds to the sense of urgency. It moves quickly from one tense moment to the next, leaving little time for the characters to catch their breath. This fast pace reflects the chaotic nature of their situation, drawing viewers deeper into the story.
By the end of the film, viewers are left with a lasting impression. Underwater serves as a reminder of the dangers lurking beneath the surface of the ocean. The combination of suspense, horror, and environmental themes creates a rich and engaging experience.
The film’s conclusion leaves audiences pondering its themes long after the credits roll. It challenges viewers to think about humanity’s relationship with nature and the consequences of our actions. The haunting imagery of Cthulhu and the terrifying creatures serve as a powerful reminder of the unknown forces that exist in the world.
Underwater is a remarkable film that combines Lovecraftian horror with a thrilling story. Its unique take on cosmic horror and the portrayal of claustrophobia make it a standout film. Kristen Stewart’s performance and the realistic design of the creatures add to its effectiveness.
This film encourages viewers to reflect on their connection to the environment and the consequences of human actions. Underwater is more than just a horror film; it is a thought-provoking dealing of fear, survival, and the unknown. Ultimately, it reminds us that while we may be small in the grand scheme of things, our actions can awaken forces far beyond our control.
Once Upon a Time, a popular TV series that aired on ABC from 2011 to 2018, is a fantasy show created by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz. The story centers around Emma Swan, played by Jennifer Morrison, who is introduced to a town full of beloved fairytale characters.
Emma acts as a guide for the many different people and creatures she meets, each with their own unique story and personality. Throughout the series, viewers encounter characters like queens, princesses, princes, and famous villains from various fairy tales.
In Season 2 of the show, a new character enters this domain enchanted characters. Dressed in green, this character quickly makes an impact with his famous motto: “steal from the rich and give to the poor.”
This iconic character is Robin Hood. Robin Hood first appears briefly in Season 2, portrayed by actor Tom Ellis. However, when Robin Hood returns in Season 3 as a regular character, the role is recast, and Sean Maguire takes over.
Ellis’ first appearance as Robin Hood takes place in Season 2, Episode 19, titled “Lacey.” This particular episode focuses on Belle, played by Emilie de Ravin, and her relationship with the character Rumpelstiltskin, also known as Mr. Gold, portrayed by Robert Carlyle.
The episode tells the story of how Robin Hood, while living in the Enchanted Forest, attempts to break into Gold’s castle to steal a magic wand. Robin Hood hopes to use the wand to help someone he cares about.
Still from the series (Disney+)
However, when he is caught trying to steal the wand, he believes that he can outsmart Gold with his skills in archery. Gold, however, is much more cunning and quickly captures and imprisons Robin Hood.
Meanwhile, Belle, who is kind-hearted and compassionate, secretly frees Robin from his cell. When Gold finds out that Belle has released him, he forces her to help him track Robin down. They eventually find Robin, but when they do, they realize that Robin’s intentions were good. He was only trying to steal the wand to help his pregnant and sick lover.
Even though Robin Hood’s role in this episode is brief, it has a significant impact on Gold’s storyline. This moment demonstrates how much Belle’s influence has changed Gold. Rather than punish Robin Hood for his actions, Gold decides to let him go, showing that Belle has softened his heart.
Tom Ellis’ portrayal of Robin Hood is effective, bringing a sense of confidence and charm to the character. Despite Robin Hood’s desperation, Ellis manages to make the audience feel sympathy for him and understand his actions. However, despite Ellis’ success in the role, he did not return as Robin Hood in Season 3, when the character became a recurring figure in the series.
The reason for Ellis’ absence in the following season was due to scheduling conflicts. In an interview with TVLine, Adam Horowitz, one of the show’s creators, explained the situation, saying, “Although we love Tom Ellis, unfortunately, he wasn’t available.
We remain huge fans of his, but because we have an arc planned for the character, we had to move forward.” As a result, the show decided to recast the role, bringing in actor Sean Maguire to play Robin Hood. Maguire’s version of Robin Hood becomes an essential part of the series as the show continues.
While Tom Ellis was busy with other projects, including his role as Gary in the British sitcom Miranda alongside Miranda Hart, and a minor role as Detective Inspector Bland in Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Sean Maguire was quickly embraced by the fans of Once Upon a Time.
Although Ellis had done an excellent job with the character, Maguire’s portrayal brought a different quality to Robin Hood, adding depth and complexity to the character as the series progressed.
Maguire’s Robin Hood becomes more serious and rugged than Ellis’ version. He is also involved in a more complex storyline, including a dramatic love triangle between Robin Hood, his fiancée, and the show’s fierce and powerful Evil Queen, played by Lana Parrilla.
Throughout this storyline, Robin Hood remains loyal to his fiancée, even though there is undeniable chemistry between him and the Evil Queen. This tension creates additional intrigue for viewers and makes Robin Hood an even more beloved character.
When Robin Hood sacrifices his life to save the Evil Queen, his death becomes a major moment in the series. However, fans of the character were not ready to say goodbye. Due to the overwhelming love for Maguire’s portrayal of Robin Hood, he was brought back in Season 6. His return was a testament to how much fans had connected with his character and how well-suited Maguire was for the role.
As much as Tom Ellis made an impression as Robin Hood during his short appearance in Season 2, Sean Maguire’s portrayal had a lasting impact on the show. He took the character of Robin Hood and made him a central figure in the series, adding complexity to his relationships and bringing a new dimension to his personality.
Maguire’s Robin Hood was more than just a thief; he became a hero, a leader, and someone who viewers could root for throughout the show’s run. Meanwhile, Tom Ellis’ career continued to grow after Once Upon a Time.
Still from the series (Dsiney+)
He achieved massive success and recognition for his role as Lucifer Morningstar in the hit Netflix series Lucifer. The show’s popularity skyrocketed, and Ellis became a household name because of his charming and devilish portrayal of the character. While his time as Robin Hood was short-lived, Ellis’ career did not suffer from his absence in Once Upon a Time.
In contrast, Sean Maguire’s involvement in Once Upon a Time allowed him to showcase his talents and win over fans of the show. His version of Robin Hood became an iconic figure in the series, and his performance helped cement his place in the hearts of Once Upon a Time fans. Maguire brought a sense of seriousness, depth, and moral conflict to the role, which made his Robin Hood a character that viewers could not forget.
Both Tom Ellis and Sean Maguire made important contributions to the character of Robin Hood in Once Upon a Time. Ellis’ initial portrayal was charming and memorable, but due to scheduling conflicts, he was unable to continue in the role.
Sean Maguire’s portrayal of Robin Hood, however, left a lasting impression on the series. His performance as the brave and loyal archer, caught in a complicated love triangle, made Robin Hood one of the most beloved characters in the show’s run.
Though Ellis went on to great success with Lucifer, Maguire’s Robin Hood will always be remembered for his heroism, his courage, and his complex relationships in Once Upon a Time.
Both Tom Ellis and Sean Maguire played important roles in shaping the character of Robin Hood in Once Upon a Time. While Ellis introduced audiences to a charming and confident version of the character, it was Maguire’s portrayal that added depth and emotional complexity to Robin Hood’s journey.
Maguire’s ability to the moral gray areas of loyalty and love made his character relatable and engaging for viewers. The evolution of Robin Hood in the series reflects the show’s broader themes of redemption, love, and heroism. Ultimately, both actors contributed to a rich collection of storytelling that impressed fans throughout the show’s run.
